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Title

Bianca Wentzell, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Biology

Dr. Bianca Wentzell is an assistant professor of biology at St. Thomas Aquinas College where she teaches undergraduate courses including General Biology I, General Biology II, and Ecology. Dr. Wentzell earned her B.S. in Biology at Siena College in 2010 and her Ph.D. in Biology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2014. She conducted postdoctoral research at both Montclair State University and Kean University. Dr. Wentzell specializes in wetland ecology and plant biology. She conducts research on plant responses to human impact in wetland ecosystems. Dr. Wentzell also studies phytoremediation, which is a process that utilizes plants to remove contaminants from water or soil. Lemna minor, or the common duckweed, is her favorite plant to use for this purpose.

Courses

BIO 171: General Biology I

Introduction to biological principles including biomolecules, cell structures and division, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, genetics, and the genetic basis of evolution. Three lecture hours and one recitation hour per week.Corequisite: BIO 173.

BIO 172: General Biology II

Introduction to biological principles including biological diversity, phylogeny, plant form and function, animal form and function, and interactions between organisms. Three lecture hours and one recitation hour per week.Corequisite: BIO 174.

BIO 317: Ecology

Understanding interactions between organisms, as well as between organisms and their abiotic environments. This course emphasizes both theoretical and applied ecology at the levels of organism, population, community, ecosystem, and landscape. Laboratory activities involve hands-on field work as well as a scientific writing component. Three lecture hours and three lab hours per week.Prerequisite: “C” grade or better in BIO 171, 172, 173, 174.

Research

Currently, I am examining the effects of various restoration strategies on vegetation succession in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. The Pine Barrens are well known for their sandy, acidic soil, which has been widely utilized for cranberry farming. Our research site consists of historic cranberry bogs that were donated to the New Jersey Conservation Foundation in order to be restored to their natural state as Atlantic white cedar swamps. Various farming and restoration strategies were employed throughout this site and I, along with collaborators from Kean University, am examining how the vegetation communities have responded and whether restoration of these crucial wetlands is successful.

I am also studying the ability of the common duckweed, Lemna minor, to remove nitrogen and phosphorus-containing compounds from eutrophic water bodies. Specifically, I am focusing on improving their removal abilities via the process of pre-conditioning. I hope that the improvement of duckweed phytoremediation systems will provide a sustainable solution to help people around the world who are facing water pollution and water scarcity.

I am always looking for students who are interested in learning about field work, wetlands, plant physiology, environmental chemistry, or who just want to learn about conducting scientific research. Do not hesitate to e-mail or stop by my office in Costello 113 to talk about research opportunities!